విభూతి పట్టెలు పెట్టుకుంటే, విష్ణుమూర్తివనుకున్నానే! ఆంజనేయుడివటోయ్!
vibhuti pattelu pettukunte, vishnumurtivanukunnane! anjaneyudivatoy!
When you wore the vibhuti (sacred ash) stripes, I thought you were Lord Vishnu! Turns out you are Lord Hanuman!
This is a humorous and sarcastic expression used to describe someone who tries to look sophisticated, wise, or godly, but ends up revealing their true clumsy, mischievous, or simplistic nature. It is often used to tease friends who dress up or act important but fail to live up to that image.
Related Phrases
మూర్తి కొంచెమైనా కీర్తి విస్తారము
murti konchemaina kirti vistaramu
Small in body, great in fame.
This expression is used to describe someone who may appear physically small or humble in stature, but possesses immense talent, greatness, or achievements. It is similar to the English proverb 'Great things come in small packages' and emphasizes that a person's capability or reputation should not be judged by their physical size.
పాగా, పంచకట్టు చూచి, భద్రిరాజు వనుకున్నానే, వీర్రాజువటోయి పేర్రాజా
paga, panchakattu chuchi, bhadriraju vanukunnane, virrajuvatoyi perraja
Seeing your turban and dhoti style, I thought you were Bhadriraju, but you turned out to be Veeriraju, oh Perraju!
This proverb is used to describe someone who tries to project a high status or noble character through their outward appearance (clothing, style, or speech), but whose true, perhaps mediocre or deceptive nature, eventually comes to light. It highlights the gap between superficial appearances and actual reality.
ముట్టుకుంటే ముత్యం, పట్టుకుంటే బంగారం
muttukunte mutyam, pattukunte bangaram
A pearl if touched, gold if held.
This expression is used to describe someone or something of exceptional quality, value, or purity. It is often used as a compliment for a well-behaved child, a virtuous person, or a piece of work that is flawless and precious.
వంతు పెట్టుకున్నా వాత వేసుకొనేదానికిచ్చి పెట్టుకోవాల
vantu pettukunna vata vesukonedanikichchi pettukovala
Even if you compete, compete for something that is worth getting branded for.
This proverb suggests that if one chooses to compete or strive for something, it should be for a prize or goal that is truly valuable and worth the sacrifice or effort involved. It discourages wasting energy on trivial competitions.
కట్టుకున్న మొగుడు, పెట్టుకున్న నగలు.
kattukunna mogudu, pettukunna nagalu.
The husband one is married to, the jewelry one is wearing.
This expression highlights the items or people that truly belong to a person and provide real security or status. It is used to emphasize that only what is legally yours or physically in your possession can be relied upon in times of need or social standing.
ఎత్తుకున్న బిడ్డ మొత్తుకున్నా ఆగదు
ettukunna bidda mottukunna agadu
A child in arms won't stop crying even if you hit it.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where one is forced to endure a burden or responsibility they have voluntarily taken up. Once you have committed to helping someone or taking on a task (lifting the child), you must bear the consequences and difficulties (the crying/trouble) that come with it until the end.
ఇఱ్ఱిని చూసి బఱ్ఱి వాత పెట్టుకున్నట్లు
irrini chusi barri vata pettukunnatlu
Like a buffalo getting a branding mark after seeing a spotted deer.
This proverb describes the foolishness of blindly imitating others who are naturally superior or different, only to end up hurting oneself. It refers to someone trying to achieve a natural trait of another (like the beautiful spots of a deer) through painful and artificial means (like branding a buffalo), which ultimately results in futile suffering.
ఎత్తుక తిన్నవాణ్ణి పొత్తులో పెట్టుకుంటే, అంతా తీసి బొంతలో పెట్టుకున్నాడట
ettuka tinnavanni pottulo pettukunte, anta tisi bontalo pettukunnadata
When a thief who steals and eats was taken as a partner, he stole everything and hid it in his bundle.
This proverb warns against trusting a person with a known history of dishonesty or theft. It implies that if you enter into a partnership or trust someone who is habitually untrustworthy, you shouldn't be surprised when they eventually betray you or steal your belongings. It is used to describe situations where someone suffers a loss due to their own poor judgment in choosing associates.
రామాయణం అంతా విని ఆంజనేయుడికి తోకుందా అన్నాట్ట
ramayanam anta vini anjaneyudiki tokunda annatta
After listening to the whole Ramayana, asking if Hanuman has a tail
This expression is used to describe someone who, after being given a detailed explanation or listening to a long story, asks a very basic or foolish question that reveals they didn't understand the core essence at all. It highlights a complete lack of attention or comprehension.
సాటి అమ్మ సరిగె పెట్టుకుంటే, ఊరి అమ్మ ఉరిపెట్టుకున్నదట
sati amma sarige pettukunte, uri amma uripettukunnadata
When a peer wore a gold border, the village woman hanged herself.
This proverb describes extreme envy and unhealthy competition. It is used to mock someone who tries to imitate others' prosperity beyond their means or feels so much jealousy toward a peer's success that they resort to self-destruction or extreme frustration.